Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon has landed on injured reserve and will miss the entire 2024 NFL season before it has even begun.
Last season, Dillon missed the final three games of the Packers ’ campaign after he sustained a neck injury. While recovering from the stinger this offseason, the 26-year-old suffered a similar issue when he went down in the Packers’ joint practice with the Denver Broncos .
Just last week, Dillon told reporters he was awaiting more tests regarding his injury. He said: “I’ve had stingers in the past before the end of last year. Some are more severe than others, so you kind of look at them differently. But we’re waiting to get opinions back and see all the information before we make any statements that are untrue.”
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While the exact details of his injury are unknown, Dillon will miss the upcoming season. He had signed a one-year deal to return to Green Bay after his rookie deal expired.
Dillon rushed for 613 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, which was his fourth season in Green Bay. He has served for years as Aaron Jones’ backup after the NFC North franchise selected Dillon with the No. 62 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft .
However, Dillon's future beyond the 2024 season would seem to be in jeopardy considering his injury. After re-signing with Green Bay in March, Dillon worked on his physique to report for training camp in the best shape of his life - and head coach Matt LaFleur heaped praise on his progress.
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“This is the best I've seen him. Hands down,” LaFleur said. “I was joking with him the other day. You can see the abs on him. That's hard for a big man to do. He looks like he's in great shape.”
After the Packers released Jones earlier this offseason , the franchise moved for Josh Jacobs in free agency. Jacobs spent his first five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, and he racked up 805 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 13 games last season before signing a four-year deal worth $48 million contract to land in Green Bay.
Jacobs will now lead the backfield for LaFleur's team, with Emanuel Wilson and rookie MarShawn Lloyd set to carry more of a load as Dillon was set to take a significant chunk of snaps. Lloyd is also recovering from a hamstring injury, while Green Bay also parted ways with backs Ellis Merriweather and Nate McCrary.
Last year, the Packers went 9-8 to reach the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five years , defeating the Dallas Cowboys on the road to reach the Divisional Round. Green Bay opens the 2024 NFL season against the Philadelphia Eagles in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on September 6.
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